What happened to the time when we could eat food from the ground without questioning its authenticity? I was recently at a trade show and came across this booth were two ladies were representing their organic farm to passers-by. Personally I love farms and I love farmers. They are some of the hardest working people who work day in and day out to produce some of the finest foods, working sunup to sundown. As I looked through the portfolio of photos that sat on the table I noticed the many vibrant colours of their fresh vegetables and happily grazing animals, but I realized that there was one problem. This farmer could not present a license to prove their organic farming practices, because they did not have one. The lady explained that although they did follow the practices of organic farming, the cost involved in providing proof to the public was too substantial to contend with and therefore they would be forced to have to sell as "non-organic" in this legal world of terms and labels. This really got me thinking about the total backwards way we have started to go about our food business. Why on earth would a farmer who produces his product, in an "organic" way have to have a license to prove that it is in fact “organic?” Shouldn’t you need a permit instead to tell the public if you weren’t giving them the finest quality foods, and furthermore shouldn’t you be required to pay a penalty if the food you were providing was not up to par with what nature intended. This is just my backwards way of thinking, and yes I do realise why we have to prove authenticity when it comes to food or at least the reasons we are lead to believe. Pesticide seepage, chemical sprays, unethical practices and I’m sure the list goes on. To me these seem like fear-mongering tactics designed to make us afraid of eating uncertified foods, because in reality how much money can a carrot and all the carrots after it generate if they don’t have their licenses, certification and documentation papers? I guess the thing I’m trying to say is that maybe we need to stop looking at everything as all or nothing. If a farmer tells you that they follow organic practices even if they can’t prove it, maybe just trust what they are telling you, because even if it’s not the full truth it’s still a far step ahead of packaged, processed foods that are able to sit on shelves for months or years. I don’t think we’ve become completely unable to identify real food and we certainly have the capacity as humans to see through someone who is really trying to pull the wool over us. The least of our worries is the humble farmer who is not trying to win a campaign or change the course of nature, but is rather just trying to grow some good food to make a living for themselves and their family. Why do we stand up so harshly against the farmer who tells you with all certainty that the food they are growing is organic-without proof? We would better invest our time and energy in fighting against GMOs and the unethical practices of major corporations who are legitimately destroying our food supply. Nothing is absolute; nothing is perfect, so why are we so conditioned to seek perfection in everything. If we change our mentality towards focusing on the major issues that really do affect us, maybe we won’t be in the constant state of driving ourselves crazy. We don’t have to be the best, we just need to do better. This is not a piece against organic farming or organic foods, so please don’t misinterpret my writing. I am here to support the good people, like I, who do not believe that you should have to prove the authenticity of the humble farmer’s carrot. So please, next time a farmer tells you that their food is the product of “organic” practice but are unable to produce documentation, don’t scowl or scoff at them. Take it for what it is, because there are actually good people in the world who do things the right way and maybe just don’t feel they need to have a renewable license to prove it.

It's not just about GMO vs Organic. It's not just about whether or not you can trust a farmer. Everything from the soil (is it fertilized with manure, what did the animal eat that the manure came from), to the pest control (chemicals, glutens, etc), to the waxes used on many vegetables, to even the misters in the stores, can have things people are highly allergic to in them. More and more, people are having problems with foods, including organic things, so they need the information to know whether or not food is safe for them. Even things like baby carrots today undergo chemical processes to make them roughly the same size and only the carrots are listed as ingredients.

Reply

Tanya

5/23/2013 05:37:05 am

You're totally right on that! It's scary what can be found in our food and it's a huge undertaking for those who have to be extra cautious due to sensitivities and full blown allergies. It's definitely important to remember those out there who need the full information on foods so they can minimize their risk and suffering. Myself, I have a problem with the sprays they put on certain fruit, so I can certainly empathize with some of those concerns.

Reply

Sandra

8/19/2013 06:03:16 am

I'm with you on the organic certification thing. I ask if things are ethically farmed, which seems more practical and less expensive for people trying to grow food to sell. Would you feed this or do you feed this to your children is what I often ask. I raise my own chickens for meat, and eggs and buy my beef from a neighbor who names his cattle, and feeds them grass (always has, since cows weren't made to eat corn, and corn is more work and expensive for him to grow than hay). Are they medication free? I do my absolute best, and so does he, medication is used as treatment, not as a preventative, only when necessary. I feel that happy animals are healthy ones. And I have some of the most fantastic eggs and chicken you can ever ask for. My produce I try to trade or buy from farmers in the area. It kind of works, and is a system improving all the time. But I think when there is a close connection to your food, you eat what you grow, and feed it to people you care about...there is no need for organic certification, your conscience tells you to do what's right. When profit is the goal, then conscience is gone. I agree with you and think that food grown with chemicals should have to be marked, and they have to pay a big fee every year for using chemicals. This is to offset the cost of the carbon used in transport and processing of chemicals, spill clean ups, and the increased health care costs. Kind of like the tax on cigarettes and alcohol. Yes, I think that would work well.....

Reply

Leave a Reply.

Author

Tanya is a whole foods chef and business owner of a whole foods catering service - Artisan Food Co. She is currently completing holistic nutrition and is an advocate for whole body living.

Categories

This website contains information to promote awareness and educate our clients about the products and services we offer at Artisan Food Co. We put a lot of hard work into going the extra step for you and hope that you value the insights provided, in interest of wholesome living. The information contained with in our website is accurate to the best of our knowledge, as per the training and experience we’ve been blessed with.​Artisan Food Co. not be held responsible or liable for any actions taken from use or interpretation of content and opinion expressed within the website.